Malignant mesothelioma

MALIGNANT MESOTHELIOMA

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the sac lining the chest or abdomen. Exposure to airborne asbestos particles increases one's risk of developing malignant mesothelioma. The cancer typically develops 20 to 40 years after a person's initial exposure to asbestos. In the United States 18,068 deaths in the United States were attributable to malignant mesothelioma from 1999 to 2005 according to a study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)